Eastern Manitoba

Lake of the Woods (Manitoba portion)

Walleye Smallmouth Bass Northern PikeMuskellungeLake Trout Yellow PerchBlack CrappieLake Sturgeon

About this lake

A vast multi-jurisdictional lake spanning Ontario, Manitoba and Minnesota, Lake of the Woods is one of North America's top multi-species fisheries. Manitoba's share lies in the lake's northwest reaches, reached via the Whiteshell-Kenora corridor. Anglers target walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and muskie, with lake trout in deep areas like Clearwater Bay.

Where it is

📍 Lake of the Woods (Manitoba portion) · Eastern

2026 Manitoba Anglers' Guide

Fishing regulations

Southern Division

No waterbody-specific rules listed — general Southern Division limits apply.

Species	Possession limit	Size restriction	Season
Walleye (Pickerel) & Sauger (either or combined)	4	None may exceed 55 cm	Southern Division: closed April 6, 2026 to May 8, 2026; open May 9, 2026 to April 4, 2027. Northwest Division: closed May 1 to May 15, 2026; open May 16, 2026 to April 30, 2027. North Central Division: closed May 1 to May 15, 2026; open May 16, 2026 to April 30, 2027. Northeast Division: generally open all year (waterbody-specific closures apply). Lake Winnipeg: walleye/sauger closed April 6 to May 15, 2026.
Northern Pike (Jackfish)	4	None may exceed 75 cm	Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply)
Lake Trout	1	None may exceed 65 cm	Southern Division: closed September 15 to October 31, 2026; open November 1, 2026 to September 14, 2027. New 2026 rule: Area A (eastern Manitoba) — all lake trout over 55 cm must be released. Northwest/North Central: generally open year-round per general limits (check waterbody-specific closures).
Smallmouth Bass	4	None may exceed 45 cm	Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply)
Yellow Perch	25	No size restriction (provincially)	Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply)
Lake Sturgeon	0	N/A (zero limit)	Southern Division: closed May 1 to June 15; open June 16 to April 30. Northwest and North Central Divisions: closed May 1 to June 30; open July 1 to April 30. Conservation closures on the Winnipeg River and Nelson River systems remain in place.

Walleye (Pickerel) & Sauger (either or combined)

Limit: 4
Size: None may exceed 55 cm
Season: Southern Division: closed April 6, 2026 to May 8, 2026; open May 9, 2026 to April 4, 2027. Northwest Division: closed May 1 to May 15, 2026; open May 16, 2026 to April 30, 2027. North Central Division: closed May 1 to May 15, 2026; open May 16, 2026 to April 30, 2027. Northeast Division: generally open all year (waterbody-specific closures apply). Lake Winnipeg: walleye/sauger closed April 6 to May 15, 2026.

Northern Pike (Jackfish)

Limit: 4
Size: None may exceed 75 cm
Season: Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply)

Lake Trout

Limit: 1
Size: None may exceed 65 cm
Season: Southern Division: closed September 15 to October 31, 2026; open November 1, 2026 to September 14, 2027. New 2026 rule: Area A (eastern Manitoba) — all lake trout over 55 cm must be released. Northwest/North Central: generally open year-round per general limits (check waterbody-specific closures).

Smallmouth Bass

Limit: 4
Size: None may exceed 45 cm
Season: Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply)

Yellow Perch

Limit: 25
Size: No size restriction (provincially)
Season: Open year-round (all divisions; waterbody-specific closures apply)

Lake Sturgeon

Limit: 0
Size: N/A (zero limit)
Season: Southern Division: closed May 1 to June 15; open June 16 to April 30. Northwest and North Central Divisions: closed May 1 to June 30; open July 1 to April 30. Conservation closures on the Winnipeg River and Nelson River systems remain in place.

Source: 2026 Manitoba Anglers' Guide (gov.mb.ca/nrnd/fish-wildlife/pubs/fish_wildlife/fish/angling-guide.pdf), Waterbody Specific Regulations pp. 18-23. Summaries only — confirm in the official guide.